Lots of internet users are now opting to use Virtual Private Networks (or VPNs) to browse the web anonymously. With a VPN, surfing is more secure and potentially sensitive information cannot be stored and monitored.

The increasing popularity of these resources means that many providers are making them a part of their products and services. They are offering users the chance to increase security and use their networking devices without fear of being tracked by external agents.

However, not all of these providers give the same degree of assistance, advice, or information. There are a lot of different VPN products on the market and they all come with their own distinct features, benefits, and downsides. This is why it is important for those who are looking for VPNs to consider all of the options.

To find a reliable and robust VPN, you first need to carry out some research on the main providers. Once you have identified your own needs and requirements, you can start to match them up with the features offered by these services.

Do be aware that not all providers have the power to give top connection speeds. If speed is what you want, you’ll need to specifically search for a company that can offer it.

Crucially, slow speeds are not always the result of a problem with the provider. Sometimes, VPN perform sluggishly because there is an issue with the user system or the service provider that supplies their internet.

If you want to gain more knowledge about VPN speeds and the different variables that can affect them, you first need to identify these variables. There are three key issues that commonly have an impact on the speed of a VPN.

Factors Affecting VPN Speed

Yout Internet Service Provider

If you purchase a VPN and the connection speed is unsatisfying, it may be because the speed of your own ISP is relatively low. Without a fairly fast connection from an ISP, the more basic VPNs will struggle and possibly falter. This is because the ISP is the conduit for transferring data; if it is crawling along, the VPN will follow.

Contrary to popular belief, a VPN cannot circumvent or overtake the ISP. This is a commonly held myth, but it is simply not true. The two are designed to work together, but the ISP has the biggest influence. If possible, check the connection speeds provided by your ISP before you spend any money on a VPN. That way, you know what you’re getting before you buy and you can make an informed decision.

Distance from the Servers

Most VPN providers now operate a great number of servers, spread out across many different locations. This is because distance to the server has a big impact on the quality of the connection. The further away you are from the server, the greater the chance of encountering problems with connectivity and speed.

A good way to avoid problems like this is to do some research before you buy and find out if there is a server close to your property.

VPN Protocol Options

The type of VPN protocol that you use will also have an impact on its overall speed and quality. For instance, options like PPTP and OpenVPN are significantly quicker than choices like L2TP/IPsec. This latter option tends to perform much slower than the rest, because it encrypts information multiple times.

For those who are concerned about privacy and security, some compromises on speed are acceptable. However, this is a decision that you will have to make for yourself when it comes time to purchase a VPN.

PPTPFast because of lower encryption overhead

L2TP/IPsecRequires the most CPU processing

OpenVPNBest performance. Fast, even across great distances and on high latency connections.You can view a VPN Protocol comparison table here.